Liverpool fans dubbed him "King Kenny" after his much heralded playing career and with reason. He was a truly terrific footballer who would have been befitting for any great footballing stage. Yet, as we all should know, one cannot draw a regular parallel between a great playing career and a similarly great managerial career. Ken, the man born in the East End of Glasgow, epitomises this statement. Despite a moderately successful managerial résumé to date, his last stint at Liverpool was, in a word, woeful.
His second period in charge began on the 9th January 2011 after the ill-fated reign of the fantastic Roy Hodgson (yes, the fantastic). Two losses later, Dalglish admitted he had a challenge on his hands. However, whether it was Dalglish's technical skill or the aura he possess within the walls of Anfield, there was an upsurge in results. Towards the end of January he dispensed with the best part of £60million to buy the brilliant Luis Suarez and "big Andy", this would soon become the legacy of his second spell as Liverpool manager. The summer before the following season would ultimately prove to be the start of the demise for Mr Dalglish.
Signing Craig Bellamy from Manchester City was a masterstroke; something for which Kenny should be applauded for, what followed was a mitigated disaster. Much like Martin O'Neil, the man from Glasgow seemed obsessed in buying over-priced British talent in the forms of Charlie Adam, Jordon Henderson and the abject Stuart Downing.
This season has been nothing short of disaster. Before Liverpool fans start to mention the Carling Cup "triumph", does a club which you will all tell me is great, want to be associated with winning the Mickey mouse cup, the answer should be unanimously "no". The highlight of a miserable season was to reach the FA Cup final, however as in accordance with the rest of the season, Liverpool turned in a horrendous first half performance which ultimately cost them the cup.
The Premier League campaign was nothing short of dire. To only finish above Fulham on goal difference is a travesty for a club of Liverpool's stature. Coupled with finishing below arch rivals Everton ensures a dreadful season. 37 points behind the eventual champions, shocking. So, what is the reason behind this failure?
Many of Liverpool's delusional fans will quote lady luck as the reason; yes you did hit the woodwork an inordinate amount of times, but shouldn't £100million of attacking talent be able to avoid three inches of metal? In fact it was Kenny Dalglish's old-fashioned tactics and lack of ability to change his methods. His insistence on playing Jordon Henderson over Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt, the kick and chase tactic to an out of sorts Andy Carroll, or his favourite, give the ball to Suarez and ask him to score from anywhere. Tactical genius.
Stuart Downing deserves his own paragraph. Bought to add pace, attacking flair and ultimately provide assists for Liverpool's new strike force, Downing did none of the above. No goals and no assists to boot, he has been the butt of many a joke. My only qualm with Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad would be Downing's inclusion, inexplicable.
Kenny's worst performance, however, was off the field. His handling of Suarez gate was atrocious. Without wishing to dig up details of the past, the atrocious nature of which he approached and handled the media throughout are reason enough for Liverpool's American owners to have disposed of the King. Go and enjoy retirement, Kenny.